The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the illegal actions of the occupiers at the ZNPP, which could provoke a real nuclear collapse in the southeastern part of Europe.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the blocking of rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by the occupiers.

With their actions aimed at militarizing the station, the Russian military is undermining nuclear and radiation safety standards, according to a statement on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The department believes that the illegal placement of military equipment and personnel of the Russian army at the facility could lead to the largest nuclear disaster in the history of Europe.

“If Russia is not stopped, its criminal actions at the Ukrainian nuclear facility could lead to a catastrophe, the scale of which was unknown to Europe,” the ministry said.

In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the Kremlin to immediately unblock the rotation of IAEA experts and ensure their immediate safe movement through the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

They also said that the international community should urgently respond to the actions of the Russian Federation at the ZNPP and increase economic pressure on the aggressor. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed imposing sanctions against the Russian state corporation Rosatom, its affiliated companies and institutes, as well as other key factors in Russia’s nuclear energy industry.

Separately, we note the urgency of the complete termination of cooperation with the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear technologies, as well as the limitation of Russia’s rights and privileges in the IAEA. We are counting on the active and effective efforts of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to counter the crimes of the Russian Federation. immediate withdrawal of military and civilian personnel of the Russian Federation from the ZNPP, its demilitarization and restoration of control of Ukraine,” the ministry added.

Opposition to the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by Ukraine

It will be recalled that in March 2022, the Russian occupation groups seized the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Currently, Russian troops regularly blackmail Ukraine with a nuclear disaster, periodically shelling the station. According to Energoatom, the power plant has already been shut down several times due to damage to high-voltage lines.

In February 2023, the NSDC imposed sanctions against 200 Russian companies trying to operate the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The Security Service of Ukraine has evidence showing that employees of Rosatom and the corporation’s affiliated companies took control of the technological and management processes at the ZNPP; contribute to the connection of the power plant to the Russian energy system.

In addition, on February 10, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine banned the operation of four out of six power units of the ZNPP.

Ukraine called on the European Union to deprive Russia of its privileges and rights in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to close the projects that “Rosatom” is implementing around the world.